Samsung Adds 4th Sensor to its 108MP Lineup

BusinessWire: Samsung introduces its latest 108MP mobile sensor, the 0.8um 1/1.33-inch ISOCELL HM3. This is the 4th 108MP sensor in the company's lineup after HMX, HM1, and HM2.

“Samsung has been at the forefront of bringing the most pixels to mobile image sensors as well as various supporting technologies that take sensor performances to the next level,” says Duckhyun Chang, EVP of the sensor business at Samsung Electronics. “The ISOCELL HM3 is the culmination of Samsung’s latest sensor technologies that will help deliver premium mobile experiences to today’s smart-device users.”

For faster AF, the HM3 integrates an improved Super PD Plus feature. Super PD Plus adds AF-optimized micro-lenses over the phase detection focusing agents, increasing measurement accuracy of the agents by 50%.

The HM3 also adopts Smart ISO Pro, HDR  technology which uses an intra-scene dual conversion gain (iDCG) solution. Smart ISO Pro simultaneously captures a frame in both high and low ISO, then merges them into a single image in 12-bit color depth and with reduced noise. As Smart ISO Pro does not require multiple exposure shots to create a standard HDR image, it can significantly reduce motion-artifacts. In addition, with a low-noise mode, it improves the light sensitivity by 50% over its predecessor.

The HM3’s pixel layout is arranged in three-by-three single color structures suitable for nine-pixel binning. By merging nine neighboring pixels, the 108Mp HM3 mimics a 12Mp image sensor with large 2.4μm-pixels. With an improved binning hardware IP, the HM3 supports seamless transitions between 108MP and 12MP resolutions.

Design of the new sensor has also been optimized to reduce power in preview mode by 6.5%.

Samsung ISOCELL HM3 is currently in mass production.